Noah Adams follows the New River from its headwaters in North Carolina to its end in West Virginia. This is not a textbook of the river's history, geography or geological formation. Instead, it is a conversational documentary. The pace of the river seems to set the pace of the book. Some chapters sit still for a minute and gaze in detail at a plant or a fish. Some chapters offer glimpses of the residents and communities along the New River. Some chapters fly by with the the excitment and adrenalin rush of the whitewater rapids. Some chapters ponder the past, some ponder the future. It's a trip worth taking through Noah Adam's eyes, thoughts, and words.

As you read this book, you can hear Adams talking: slowly and carefully, stopping here and there to dwell on a minor detail that focuses on the essence of a place. This is a good place to start if all you know about Appalachia and its people is what you learned from seeing "Deliverance", but it's also fine reading if you're from the hills or have spent some time on the New River. As a native son of the Mountain State, whose ancestors settled on the Bluestone River in 1790, I was amused to discover that some folks still regard West Virginia as a scary place populated by violent, barefoot hillbillies (only the guides on the river are barefoot here).

One small quibble: Adams doesn't devote any time at all to the geological history of the river itself. Given that it's generally regarded as the oldest river in North America, I thought this was surprising. My only complaint is that, just like a rafting trip down the New in Spring, it's over way too soon.

In traveling the New River from North Carolina to West Virginia, Noah Adams found a part of America that sometimes stands still in time, and other times seems to go backward. Part of his journey relates to an earlier epic of his own life spent in Appalachia. Whatever the reasons, he paints a picture of the river's path that is both nostalgic and distant.

Coal mining was a big industry in much of this section of the country, but much of it is gone now. Towns, mines, have almost completely disappeared, while others are ugly blots on the landscape. And still, the New River cuts its way through mountains, creating gorges, south to north, in the same way it has done for millennia. Bridges cross it. People live beside it. And a new industry -- whitewater rafting, kayaking, and other touristy pursuits -- has encroached on its waters.

As Adams traveled the river, he met professional guides, herbalists, and others who make their livings on the river. Many, perhaps most of them love the river. Each knows some of its history, and their stories often only whet our appetites.

Readers of travels in America would enjoy this book. However, someone who once lived in North Carolina, Virginia, or West Virginia, having some knowledge of both history and geography of those areas, will be reminded of their time there and stories they may have heard. It might even make some of those who moved away want to go back. Even if only for a vist.

Giles Milton has written another popular piece of history for the fans of Nathaniel's Nutmeg (the events of that book even make an important cameo appearance in this book, Samurai William). William Adams is the title character, as per the subtitle of the Englishman who opened Japan, and he is a fascinating subject for a work of non-fiction. Giles Milton, though, is also lucky to have a supporting cast of Dutch and Englishmen to add further adventure and villiany to the main story. The major caveat of the book is that it is told entirely from the perspective of the Europeans. This works to a certain extent in this book as the author is presenting how one culture (European) views another. This will dissappoint those who wanted to learn more about Japan and the Japanese themselves during this period. It is an exciting tale well told even if it does not match Giles Milton's finest piece of work, the highly recommended Big Chief Elizabeth. Samurai William is a good read and a must for those who enjoyed Nathaniel's Nutmeg.

Giles Milton seems to be making a good career out of gutsy little histories related to Britain's Tudor and Stuart trading history, and he does them very well. This latest offering is the well known but little examined history of British trading in Japan. I say well known - but really only in its most skeleton of detail - until now. William Adams, who was wrecked on the shores of Japan in the very eary seventeenth century has been written about at least in passing in a number of other histories before - and turned into a historical fiction for James Clavells' novel. However a full blown history, in a historical context has been a long time coming.

Milton's great talent is for his blending of period documents within the text of the book, to bring the past directly to us in all its archaic, but usually very clear details. Its fascinating reading and provides a light, humourous tone to the book which at times could get very bogged down in minutiae.

Essentially this is a clash of cultures - that of the insulated Japanese who did not wish to have contact withe the outside world, the British who essentially did not choose to understand the Japanese culture or the types of goods which they valued, and the Jesuits who had insinuated their way into the Japanese court and were very anti-British.

William Adams provided a junction for all three parties, but it was a narrow line he was forced to take and his negotiations and diplomacy against the competing interests was often taken in bad part or very often ignored.

But Adams is only part of the story, Giles Milton is very good at building up a picture of the time and creating a living history in which British trading with Japan is explored in all its details and all its main characters.

I don't think this is his best book so far - Big Chief Elizabeth (which examines the history of America's first colony) has my vote for best - however this book is a great demonstration of how these small histories are best written. If you like this then try Big Chief Elizabeth and Nathaniel's Nutmeg (about the South East Asian Spice trade in Nutmeg) all set in the same approximate period.

This book is a true story about William Adams, an Englishman that was Tokugawa closest western right-hand.

Early chapters talks about the history of the arrival of the first Europeans in Japan, and their journey. The incredible journey of William Adams was also discussed in detail. Although there are some fact that I couldn't believe, for example: they met a certain tribe in South America that are 7 feet tall.

The book also talks about how the Europeans traders live in Asia (Japan, China, Java) at those times. The diseases they have survived through, the nutrition, the drunkeness and the parties that they had, the deals with local native ruler, competition among the Europeans traders (English, Spanish, Dutch, Portugese).

Religious affairs was also discussed, the spread of Christianity in Japan, why Tokugawa declared an edict against Christianity after a "close-eye" period.

The most interesting part is the detail on Osaka Castle battle. It's the battle between Tokugawa's army and Hideyori's followers. I have read a short summary of this battle in history book, but this detail was much more interesting.

Final words: this book was both entertaining and informative.
There are some stuff that I can't believe, but I think that's just because I haven't research much into it.

This is an interesting work, though not one of James' best (I recommend "The Black Tower" or "The Skull Beneath the Skin" for that). The setting was great, a spooky Victorian mansion converted into a nursing school - this choice of location provided plenty of atmosphere and a restricted list of suspects.

The plot was well constructed, with the clues spaced just right, although I feel that James did cheat in a couple places. I dislike her tactic of having a character ask a question of another character, then not letting us see the answer, in order to keep from us information that the protagonist now knows. She did that in at least one place here and I find it annoying. The loose ends are tied up neatly and there's a surpising and very well done epilogue.

The characterization is where James falls down a bit. This is one of her early Dalgliesh books, and I think it shows, as most of the characters are more sketches than real persons. A big revelation about one character's past, near the end of the book, comes as something of a "so what?", since we don't really care about the character. Nurse Goodale was the only one I felt really stood out as a person. Even Dalgliesh seems to swing between supercilious and nasty, and he doesn't come off as a character a reader would care to spend more time with.

These flaws aside, I'd glady recommend this to any fan of the series, although it's not a good introduction for a non-fan ("A Mind to Murder" is perhaps best for that). Not on par with her best, but pretty good overall.

Adam Dalgliesh investigates the murders of two young student nurses at Nightingale House, the former by intra-gastric poisoning, the second by nicotine poisoning. His detective work leads him into a chilling world of deception, long-buried secrets, repressed sexuality, and blackmail among an almost exclusively female list of suspects.

This is James at her most provocative, her most intriguing, and her most thrilling. The plot is one of her most brilliantly conceived--not only are there plenty of well-laid clues and red herrings, but the murderer's true identity comes as a surprising twist. James' plot construction is even more sound than usual--everything fits perfectly. But anyone who reads a James novel knows that there's more to her books than just a satisfying mystery. She offers the reader a lot to think about--the motive behind the murders is both shocking and thought-provoking, and Dalgliesh is written with great sensitivity and complexity as a human being! . His subordinate, Sergeant Masterson, is a rather unsavory but interesting character, and the suspects are all extremely well-developed and vividly drawn. The setting, a dark, lonely nurse training school with a frightening history, creates atmosphere and adds suspense to an already suspenseful plot.

Read this book--you won't be disappointed.

I was not able to put "Shroud for a Nightingale" down. I have ready many of PD James' books. This one tops my list. Her character portraits are superb and so is the action. The cast of characters are diverse. The setting sinister. I'd call this a must read!

I think Bobby Sands was a very interesting person and decent writer, especially considering that he had no formal education to speak of. He shows a veriety of writing styles, prose and poetry. However, I think he becomes incredibly repditive! I understand that this is all he has to write about, but I think he obsesses over certain issues and becomes rather self-indulges on hiss own suffering. He seems to leave out many things, such as what the "screws" would taunt them with, perhaps this was because they would say how the IRA killed innocent people! He also leaves out the fact that he abondoned his own child and wife, though she divirced him because of his decision to hold the IRA above his own family. I admire his endurance and unwavering belief in hos cause, something which too many people lack today. Conviction!

Bobby Sands, equipped with only a contraband ballpoint pen refill cartridge and toilet paper, wrote some of the most affecting and powerful poetry of this century. His prison diaries give poignant insight into the soul of a man who was willing to die for his beliefs. In this case, the right to be treated as a human being. Regardless of your political perspective, this is a book that deserves to be read.

There is a good reason that Nobel Laureate Sean MacBride wrote the introduction to this book. It deserves to be read by anyone who cares about the Troubles in the North of Ireland. Indeed, it deserves to be read by anyone with a love of the indomitable human spirit, of wich Bobby Sands was one. Rest in Peace, Bobby.

This book is a collection of writings from one of irelands best known heros. It is composed of bobbys writeings inside Long kesh prison ( A.K.A H.M.P Maze) written on scraps of toilet paper and a biro insert it is a testement to the human beings ability to overcome torture and degradation .This young I.R.A volunteer endured daily beatings and body searches at the hands of the bigoted ,sectarian prison officers . tough Bobby died on hunger strike in 1981 after several years on the blanket and dirty protests his ideals and visions live on in these pages his poems and essays contain many references to the oppresed and unfree everywhere e.g the jews under hitler the blacks under aparthaid and countless others. If you have an intrest an irish hitory, the struggle or love freedom you must buy this book. BOBBY SANDS M.P IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY VOLUTEER R.I.P

I loved the movie PATCH ADAMS, starring Robin Williams . . . even though it got mostly poor to fair reviews, see it if you can . . . you'll be uplifted by the true story of a doctor who has challenged the foundations of modern medicine not only by making healthcare personal, but by making it free . . . the movie naturally took some liberties with Adams' life, so for the whole tale I just heard the taped version of GESUNDHEIT! . . . this gives all the details
of how he and a few colleagues in 1971 founded the Gesundheit
Institute--a free hospital in West Virginia . . . it is dedicated to an unorthodox view of medicine and of the patient-doctor relationship: one employing laughter, listening and mutual respect . . . imagine being able to see a doctor and actually smiling when you do . . . and have him or her smile back at you! . . . you'll come away thinking that health care could be different; i.e., if practitioners would take heed of Adams' advice . . . the narration by Artie Johnson (of LAUGH-IN fame)was excellent.

Behind Patch Adams clown nose and jokes lies a social revolutionary who has devoted his life to transforming the health care system. In his book "Gesundheit" he shares a vision of a free holistic medical practice based on faith, friendship and fun. Adams life and work even inspired the producers of Universal Studios to make a movie titled "Patch Adams" staring Robin Williams.
Patch Adams is the founder of Gesundheit, a holistic home-based medical practice that managed to see more than 15,000 people without bills, malpractice insurance, formal facilities and paper work. Adams' vision is a wake-up call for all of us.
Like Adams I became discouraged when the art of counseling and medicine was replaced by the science of business and technology. During my 20 years of working as a children's counselor at a Mental Health Center I witnessed how mental health and medicine, the nations number one industries today, shifted from the community to the corporate level. When the loving human interchange between a client and counselor became more a business transaction, and the paperwork not the people became the bulk of our services due to fear of litigation, I decided it was time to retire.
In "Gesundheit" Adams discourages health care professionals from carrying malpractice insurance. When fear is the baseline from which to practice healing it encourages caregivers to prescribe "cookbook" treatments even when they believe them to be inadequate or potentially harmful. Fear and distrust makes physicians reluctant to explore alternate therapy and leads them to put patients through procedures and tests that are unnecessary and defensive. When professionals see patients as passive recipients of wisdom there is no room for humility or mistakes. A malpractice climate denies physicians the right to be imperfect.
Third-party reimbursement is also a problem. It has diverted medicine from a service to a business and become a circus act with many hoops to jump through. Doctors tend to over-order tests and overdo procedures when patients are insured. It's easier to order tests than provide care or comfort. Hospital supply companies, medical technology and pharmaceutical firms have become multimillion dollar moguls of medicine.
Another problem is that the professional distance ethic often leads to aloofness and arrogance. Many patients are described as diseases, lab values, or treatments. When people are called the names of their diseases other facets of the patient's life are neglected such as family, friends, faith, fun, work, nutrition and exercise. Life itself is bigger than illness, diagnosis, treatment and disease.
When touching is taboo and getting close to clients is forbidden we loose the magic of vulnerability and trust in a relationship. Healing happens in the relationship between the healer and the patient. A healer cannot offset the pain and suffering of a client without intimacy. Healers need the freedom to cry with and hug their patients. Transference is inevitable. Every human being has some kind of impact on another. A solid relationship creates a loving, human, creative, cooperative and open environment.
Privacy or confidentiality rules make intimacy difficult. Public disclosure strengthens relationships and helps develop a greater sense of support and understanding. Like 12-step programs the surrendering of privacy is the cornerstone of friendship and an antidote to loneliness. Our stories are important and listening to each other's stories provides the magic for healing. We are a tribal people and we need community. We need to move from the insurance of cash to the insurance of clan.
Progress has become synonymous with "advances in technology." Although modern medicine has made great strides in knowledge and technology, health care professionals are rarely vibrant with the joy of human service. Many doctors feel naked without their instruments and machines. Even though comfort, empathy, and reassurance-so vital to a medical practice requires no technology. Our magic as healers is not in our tools but in ourselves.
We also need to integrate humor and nature in healing work. Humor is a powerful antidote to pain and nature tops the list of potent stress reducers. An individual's health cannot be separated from their natural and human environment and wellness needs to include prevention of ecological disasters.
Adams' book "Gesundheid" is an excellent summary of how today's high-tech medicine has become too costly, dehumanized, mistrustful and grim and gives us a vision of what good health care could be. We not only need a better health care system but a healthier one. Profit, paperwork, medication, and medical procedures cannot be a substitute for time spent talking to and observing patients.
Mother Teresa's Mission of Charity has provided free services to the poor in over 52 continents since 1952. They accept donations from individuals not companies and have not only survived but thrived. Gesundheit, a non-religious modern day version of the Missions of Charity, also offers free services in faith not fear. Both demonstrate how giving is intoxicating and produce intimacy as a byproduct. Both show how fulfillment that comes from service is one of the great medicines of life.
Although most of us cannot give our services away for free we can learn from Adams' vision. Putting people before profit is a win win situation. When people are happy they're less likely to litigate and surprise, surprise the business ends up making a profit.

If you have seen the movie Patch Adams, the screen writers took some liberties with the life of Mr. Adams. The movie only tells a small distorted version of what is Patch Adams. Patch has some unconventional ideas about medicine. These ideas have led to a movement to change health care for the better. Patch has dedicated his life toward helping the less fortunate and still lives on this creed.

The one story in this book which sticks out in my mind is the story of the man with arthritis. To summarize, Patch discovered that the man did not feel the pain of his arthritis while watching the sunset. The man really enjoyed watching the sunset and pleasure from this event helps him forget his pain. Thinking of something pleasurable or performing a pleasurable act helps us forget pain. As Patch Adams himself said, The best medicince is not to treat the illness, but to treat the patient."

Thanks for your inspiration Patch! A great book!

This was my first read of Dan Mahoney's work. I must say I liked it alot. The character of Brian McKenna is a strong one. The story with the two killers is very interesting. The Police work is well decribed.The character Tommy McKenna is based on a real person. He, along with Greve, Bynum, and Big Ed make the investigation end a real good show. The outside agencies, FBI, Arizona Sheriffs, and Singapore police add flavor as well. The Political side show, with Barrone and McMahon, add a good sub-plot. The story, which had parallels to the movie, 8mm, kept me very interested. This book will have you feeling bad for the victims. I look forward to more books by Dan Mahoney.

I'd never heard of Dan Mahoney, but the title caught my attention and the back cover caught my interest. Being a retired police officer, I view with some skepticism any so-called authority on police procedures and policies. I was surprised when I found my attention riveted on the story. I truly couldn't put it down. I couldn't wait to learn the outcome and the fate that awaited the bad guys. The only thing that struck me as being less than authentic was the fact that every investigator from every police agency was not only intelligent, dedicated and persevering, but a really nice guy to boot. That just doesn't happen. I will definitely buy another Dan Mahoney novel

Normally Police Procedurals are not my cup of tea; however, Dan Mahoney's BLACK and WHITE kept me riveted. This was my first (but not last by now) Brian McKenna book by Mahoney, and while I like Brian a lot, my hero and person I'd like to see more of in future books, is the tenacious, intutitive, elderly retired black policeman. I guarantee, you've never met anyone like him. They made him and threw away the mold! As you can tell, I really get into my books - good ones come alive for me - and this is a good one!

There are other very unusual characters in this book that you will come to know and like (or dislike), and this is another book you will hate to put down.

I started this book in the morning, took it with me for my flu shot (stood in line reading) at the Church, and stayed up all night to finish.

I think you will like it!

Caught up in the Hustle & Bustle of life? Tired of paying bills? Still upset about the salami submarine sandwhich that gave you extreme heartburn from the night before? Want to remember how it felt like to...? Look no further than "The disturbed writings of Adam Cochrane". Let's face it - this book sure won't make you smarter. In fact - it might make you dumber. But it does make you think about the world, and it does make you realize that you could be a lot crazier than you are. Cochrane's short stories and poems are just downright stupid. Some are funny - most are not. I'm not sure how this [strange] got published, but it did occupy 2 hours of time reading it. It's full of crude and offensive humor for most readers, and provides a short escape from life's negative aspects. After reading this book, I sit back and realize how lucky I am to be alive. A decent read,nonetheless.

For all it's brief, brash, sarcastic and disconcerting looks inside the head of a disturbed individual(s), I found this collection of short stories to be extremely amusing. As I read through it, I couldn't figure out if I was simply pleased by Cochran's quirky take on life and its situations or basically amazed that he told them so "matter of factly." Either way, I laughed through the entire thing. Perhaps you need to be a little sick and twisted or left of center to appreciate his in you face and graphic style, but if you ask me, that's exactly what makes this collection unique, funny and appealing. Really, the only thing that upset me about this book, was the fact that it is much too short.

I don't just toss around the word "genius" like an everyday washcloth, so you know I mean business when I use the word "genius" to describe the fantastical writings of one Adam Cochran. This book may not change the world, but it could. At times side-splitting, at times deeply penetrating in it's ability to satirize and mock conventioal wisdoms that have all too easily become the norm. Sheer brilliance in it's cuuning and under-stated manner of humor.

The Silken Web is one of my favorites by Sandra Brown and I own almost every book she's ever written. Brown's work combines just the right amounts of decency and steam to form an overall piece that's not trashy, but that is ensured to make your temperature rise. Like to read on your lunchbreak? Rest assured, the covers of Brown's books do not consist of two lovers tearing each others clothes off! This book is about a love so spellbinding, your heart breaks a little along with those of the protagonists, and soars like a bird when love gets back on course. If you want a read to revive your faith in romance, this is your book. Enjoy!

This is and will always remain my favorite Sandra Brown novel. I absolutely could not put this book down. This book brought out so many inner emotions in me. I would cry so many tears on one page and then flip to the next to find myself laughing so hard that i cried again. Kathleen, Erik, and Seth...the whole loving triangle brought my heart to a whole new plateau of love. It was such a realistic story that i found myself sucked into it. It was the wierdest feeling, but i felt like i was in the story as a mere onlooker. There was times i even shouted advice to Kathleen. Sandra Brown writes such classic and beautiful love storys, but this one was different. This one was genuine and real and it kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen next.

Another book I enjoyed from Ms. Brown. Once again she illustrates the 'separation and reunion' theme which she excels in. I like how long the beginning part of the story was and how she showed many details of Kathleen and Erik's former relationship at camp before his accident. Their past really convinced me that they were meant to be together and I couldn't begrudge their 'affair' since it was all so unfair for them. But everything went well; even Seth was an angel. He was too kind and very understanding of the couple's situation (as I was)- it was all too unfair for them that I couldn't begrudge their 'affair'.
The pacing of the book was also very well written. A lot of time was equally devoted to not just the beginning, but the middle and end of the book that there's no way I could find the romance rushed in any way.
I originally didn't think I'd like The Silken Web because it had adultary... and a blonde hero. But Erik was as appealing as any other dark hero (with the qualities to match) and the way everything was handled makes me want to go and buy more of Sandra's books.
If you liked The Silken Web, try Bittersweet Rain. It was a shorter read, similar but fun as always.

I think this compilation of Dilbert strips from 1998 and 1999 show that Scott Adams is running out of funny ideas. I haven't laughed much at Dilbert the last couple of years and this collection confirms that. I have been a big fan of Dilbert since the early 90's, but I think Scott Adams' dependence on reader input for ideas instead of those generated from his own corporate experiences (he quit his job several years ago) is starting to drag the strip down. I also think Mr. Adams' is spending too much time on the business side of Dilbert (TV shows, product marketing) to give the strip the attention it needs. I hope that he'll remember what got him where he is today and focus his energy on his comic strip in the future. If you've got all the books, get it, but if you want some laughs, try some of the earlier Dilbert compilation books instead.

What can I say? It's a Dilbert book; if you like Dilbert, you'll like it. If you don't, you won't. It isn't the best Dilbert book out there, but it's not the worst, either. (And of course, for those of us who like it, even the worst Dilbert book is worth reading.) It's good, chuckle-producing fun, but not rolling-on-the-floor laughing fun.

I don't see what everyone hates about this book, I loved it! I've enjoyed Dilbert for years and this book is just as hilarious as the others! Yes, pretty much every strip that turns a business cliche into something literal (i.e. scapegoat, meeting moth) falls completely flat but all the other characters from the boss to Wally to even young Asok are in fine form. Scott Adams has certainly not lost his edge yet, Random Acts of Management continues the Dilbery legacy in style and proves once again that Dilbert is one of the best strips out there.

Harbors and High Seas gets more use from me than the lexicon reference to the Aubrey Maturin series, A Sea of Words. I skimmed through Harbors and High Seas after each O'Brian book the last time through; leaving alone the clearer geographical detail, this really adds depth to O'Brian's already convincing world.

I would recommend this highly to fans of the series who feel bereft at its close and long to return, to poke around a little themselves. Harbors and High Seas is full of taking off points, tangents to the stories that the curious reader can follow up on. A print of the decrepit Temple, reproduced here, might spark you to pursue some detail or other about Napoleon's Paris. The discussion of the many Desolation Islands has lots of little sides to it that could reward some curiosity. Like the stories, this is a sort of open-ended invitation into the historical setting, you might say.

Harbors and High Seas is a "companion" to the series, a complement to it, not just a reference to be consulted when you're muddled. Don't just refer to it -- read it for fun.

I'm now on book 7 of the Aubrey-Maturin series, and have only had my Companion for the last 2...how much it adds to the joy and the education. The best part of the companion is the maps, with clearly marked routes taken by Lucky Jack's vessels. O'Brian's description of Aubrey passing by Elsinore while Jack describes his role in Hamlet as a young midshipman comes alive with both the map and the picture of Elsinore. As well, eliminating the frustration of trying to determine what is fiction (Grimsholm) from what is not (Admiral Suamarez) greatly adds to the historical learnings.

The only downside to having this companion is the irresistable temptation to read ahead...the plot lines of the first 17 books are all given in general outline. As O'Brian readers know, however, much of the joy is as much in the characterization and writing as in the plot line. So, even if you do look ahead, it in all likelihood only will increase your desire to move on to the next book....I personally can hardly wait to get to Treason's Harbour and the mood that O'Brian will create around historic Malta.

If you love maps, though, and have always used them to add a visual learning dimension and reference to the words, you can't possibly read the books without it.

In closing, I guess I should add the warning that as addictive as these books are, they become even more addictive with the companion.

Beware!

Once in awhile just the right writer comes along for a critical assignment, and this time it is Dean King, accompanied by some other worthy contributors. A globe isn't nearly enough when you're sailing, fighting, surviving and adventuring with Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin, and it mattered not to me that King had to wait until there were sufficient chapters in O'Brian's incredible series (one that I look upon as one great, great book with 19 chapters) to form an adequate foundation for Harbors and High Seas, for I read them over and over and King's guide makes the repeat servings even more delightful.

Now as I travel the world in the O'Brian series I know where I am and where I've been -- and often where I'm going. The maps are outstanding (I always thought a map here and there in the novels themselves was called for), and King's narrative takes me ashore in places all over the aquatic world to round out my adventures with my favorite literary characters.

The old pictures from The Naval Chronicle are worthy -- and thoughtful -- additions to the whole fine work.

I guess I'll be reading Aubrey/Maturin books forever, and with Harbors and High Seas right at hand. Too bad the guide had to end with The Commodore but, hey, I'm not complaining. I'm happy for what's here.

Thanks to King, too, for his lexicon, A Sea of Words. That was the finishing touch for the O'Brian addict that I am -- I want to KNOW what a studding sail is, a snow (for I, like Maturin, thought a "snow" must be a white ship), the mainchains (not "chains" at all), the messenger (definitely not a means by which you might get a message to Garcia) . . .

A tip of the hat and a warm thank you to Dean King and his cohorts: John B. Hattendorf, J. Worth Estes, and mapmakers William Clipson and Adam Merton Cooper.

It is truly wonderful that this incredible series of historical novels has inspired these indispensible accompaniments. There is also the volume edited by A.E. Cunningham, "Patrick O'Brian: Critical Essays and a Bibliography" which belongs on the shelf with every O'Brian fan's collection. These books about O'Brian's books are a further testimony to the greatness of them -- they stood tall on their own, it's only that they're even more robust now.

Doug Briggs